Some more photos have surfaced from our adventure in Shilo, 1983. The photos are not accessioned yet into the archives of the Regimental Museum as they are still in the original black photo album donated by Major Bob Mugford. There are no markings on the photos but the rank of the personalities appears to indicate some time in the spring of 1983. There is also the possibilities of two exercises being mixed in the album. I'm always looking for confirmation from anyone that has a clearer understanding of the event! Major John Jessop is Battery Commander for this exercise with Master Warrant Officer Bill Amos the Battery Sergeant Major. Ex Shellburst Valley was based on both artillery competency and the ability of the unit to meet the manning requirements with qualified personnel, hence the manning parade and checklist. The unit placed 8th out of 13 units competing with a score of 68.5. There are no additional points awarded for the long commute, the sub-zero weather and the presence of the Regimental Band!A second album has surfaced showing similar photos labelled Ex Limber Gunner Mar 30 - April 10, 1983. CFB Shilo, MB 1st of 12 chalks to transport personnel and equipment to Shilo. The donator of this album is not indicated.

The photos start off with our departure from Vancouver International Airport. The temporary home of 12 Service Battalion at the old Air Movements Unit building beside the airport is a great resource when putting together a move to Shilo consisting of 12 chalks. A complete Battery from the West Coast to Manitoba! The weather is considerably different on arrival than it was in Vancouver on departure. Green grass? Not for another three months!The manning parade indicates that we were being evaluated in the Royal Canadian Artillery Association Exercise Shellburst Valley. Not every regiment shows up for an Op Eval with a Band! I'm not sure if they participated in the exercise on this occasion but the Band has been a keen supporter of field exercises with some members qualified up to detachment commander. Here we have Master Warrant Officer Richard Van Slyke leading the band with Clive Walton as Drum Major. I also believe I see Ken Surges in the crowd.In the manning parade we have the Command Post with Lieutenant Peter Faliszewski, Officer Cadet? Jay McCallum, Bombardier Earle Smith and two unidentified Gunners. Sergeant Keith Laing and Bombardier Darragh. Bombardier Steve Darragh looking on as Sergeant John McClelland's detachment, including Private Barry Macleod, is inspected. Master Bombardier Jim Jacobson with Gunner Alain Archambault.An unidentified Detachment Commander and detachment. Master Bombardier Colin Parkinson with Gunner Eric Goodwill in the rear rank.Possibly the Recce Detachment? with Warrant Officer Mark Jackson. Captain CI Young's FOO party with Master Bombardier Rick Reimer and Bombardier Ernie Kovacs, Captain John Carter's FOO party and the Battery Commander's team with Warrant Officer Brian Hill.I see Captain? Ian Newby walking past the guns - was he the Battery Captain for the exercise?Master Warrant Officer Larry New briefing the Battery Commander Major John Jessop. Lieutenant Peter Faliszewski and Bombardier Brad Smith prepping the Command Post stores.Bombardier Earle Smith​​There's also the preparation required before heading out to the field. Although it certainly is easier when you bring all your own equipment with you rather than signing out a loaner for the week.

Why would anyone give up a warm weekend in Vancouver for a gruesomely cold Shilo spring? The snow melts in the daytime forming vast pools of water and freezes up every night. The wide open prairies also allows the wind to rush through the gun position. Luckily the parkas are designed to keep us warm,Sergeant Keith Laing is listening to the latest orders from the Command Post or possibly confirming his 'Grape Shot.' The problem with parkas is in trying to identify the people that they hide. Who's gun detachment is this? At least when the sun breaks out and the day warms up a bit we get a look at the faces.Master Bombardier Colin Parkinson (or is that Sergeant?) listening to the Tannoy. Gunner David Christensen enjoying the Manitoba sun.​​Just when the West Coast gang started to get used to the dry cold we get a touch of snow overnight.

The problem of identifying people hiding in their parkas also extends to the OP party where people tend to hide behind their binoculars! The Battery Commander indicates a target to Captain CI Young (I think that's him behind the binos!) with Master Bombardier Rick Reimer and Bombardier Ernie Kovacs listening. That might be their hole but the temperature has dropped and balaclavas are the preferred choice of headdress.Captain John Carter's OP party is busy organizing their position with Master Bombardier John Otway and Gunner Garnet Durham.Of course it turns bitterly cold (Parka Hoods up!) just as the Directing Staff comes over to observe the target engagement.Nicer weather for the Battery Commander's team, including Warrant Officer Hill, as Major Milne from 3 RCHA observes. One wonders if you need a boat to get back to camp or else grab a ride from 408 Squadron?​The scenery is certainly different from Vancouver in April. From the prairie sunrise on the first morning to the flat terrain of the Shilo impact area.

The Command Post is the hub of the Battery. Here we have Lieutenant Peter Faliszewski in the 'Box' with the Assistant Instructor in Gunnery observing while Lieutenant Dean Drysdale is out on the gun line with the loudhailer.The Battery Captain, Captain Ian Newby, is either burying the truck or working on trying to free it from the Shilo bog.Officer Cadet Paul Lee is making note of the BK's error so that he can avoid it in the future. The Batter Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Bill Amos having a discussion with the Regular Force Support Master Warrant Officer Larry New.Troop Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Mark Jackson with Master Corporal Jennifer Jackson ensuring the accuracy of the Ammo State while Corporal Donna Shier delivers more to the gun position. The field kitchen truck is not a bad duty in the winter time! It's warm! There's nothing like a warm meal to perk up everyone's morale and the water bowser is a great stand in for the office water cooler.​The echelon personnel also have a vital job with the local defence of the Gun Area. The Karl Gustaf, the General Purpose Machine Gun manned by Corporal Robert Sutherland and the TA-43 Field Telephone manned by Bombardier Michael Lavoie all help to coordinate a robust level of security.

We're not the only ones out on the range in this wonderful weather. The Air Defence is there honing up on their skills with a drone aircraft.After a long weekend of firing it's time to head back to Canadian Forces Base Shilo and start the clean up. Guns to be spotless, equipment turned in, The Battery Sergeant Major Bill Amos, the Regimental Sergeant Major Eric Tyldesley-Gore and the Regular Force Master Warrant Officer Larry New discuss the progress. Master Bombardier Rick Reimer is the guy that has to stay behind a couple of days to make sure that all is right with 3 RCHA. The Second in Command, Major Barrie Hamilton is also on the ground with the primary task of organizing the return. A shot of our Honorary Colonel Graham Blythe with the Battery Commander Major John Jessop and the Regular Force Captain John Hawthorne before we conclude with a shot of the Regimental Sergeant Major Eric Tyldesley-Gore. Nice scarf!

Ex Limber Gunner 83There appears to have been way too much unscheduled activity time on this exercise for some of the unit members. Idle hands and all that provides for some interesting collecting for the Regimental Museum.